746 dial surrounds. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

richwk1 · 10th Aug 2009, 9:03 am

Hi there everyone, this is my first post so be gentle. I am new to these phones i have just bought a 746 in ivory and i am very pleased with my question is how do i change the outer dial surround mine is plain at the moment but i have an alpha numeric one. simple guide please i do repair computers but old phones are new to me. thanks in advance and a big hello to everyone Rich

Darren-UK · 10th Aug 2009, 9:46 am

Hi Rich,

Remove the casing; there's a single screw on the rear, release that (it's captive so shouldn't come completely out) then lift the casing off the chassis. It's a good idea to remove the dial finger plate first, I would add.

Next look underneath the case and you'll see the dial surround turns through 30deg, or thereabouts, then lifts off.

Regarding the dial finger plate; usually the casing will lift off with the plate in situ - but then you find it's a pain to replace the casing. To remove the finger plate; remove central label-cover insert, remove label, remove the single screw which will now be visible in the centre, then lift off finger plate. When replacing, do not overtighten that screw.

Nickthedentist · 10th Aug 2009, 9:53 am

As Darren said, it's easy. Make sure the cutout for the finger stop is in the right place before re-fitting the case.

You sometimes have to slightly flex the plastic "finger plate" (the "dial" with holes in it) to get the case back on. But removing it completely as D. suggests is another, sensible alternative. If you choose to do this, don't prise the label cover off with a screwdriver/knife etc. as you'll spoil it. Instead, pull it off with a suction cap, or using a bit of very sticky tape.

Note that if you have the older 706 model, it's held on with a metal clip instead.

Good luck,

Nick.

russell_w_b · 10th Aug 2009, 10:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by richwk1

'...i have just bought a 746 in ivory and i am very pleased with my question is how do i change the outer dial surround...'

Out of interest, why would you want to do this? I understand that the 746 was never designed to have an alpha-numeric dial surround, although Bob's telephone page suggests that there may have been certain transitional models produced that did.

Darren-UK · 10th Aug 2009, 11:04 am

Yes indeed, I wondered about this too. One problem is that a telephone with an alpha-numeric outer ring should not have a numeric dial plate. Such would look non-authentic but, of course, it's the OP's choice.

richwk1 · 10th Aug 2009, 7:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by russell_w_b

Quote:

Originally Posted by richwk1

'...i have just bought a 746 in ivory and i am very pleased with my question is how do i change the outer dial surround...'

Out of interest, why would you want to do this? I understand that the 746 was never designed to have an alpha-numeric dial surround, although Bob's telephone page suggests that there may have been certain transitional models produced that did.

We had a 746 at home when i was a kid but i distinctly remember it had the letter around the dial. As you say may have been a transition one but anyway would like to get it as close the the one i remember, sad realy but memories are funny things !!!

Darren-UK · 11th Aug 2009, 6:08 pm

As it happens I today came across the telephone illustrated below. Sorry for the absolutely atrocious quality; mobile 'phone, poor light - the usual excuses.

Two-tone green, it's a 746L and marked "AEG 67/1". That tells us it had an alpha-numeric ring from new and was manufactured by GEC at Glenross, Scotland, in 1967.

russell_w_b · 11th Aug 2009, 6:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren-UK

Two-tone green, it's a 746L and marked "AEG 67/1". That tells us it had an alpha-numeric ring from new and was manufactured by GEC at Glenross, Scotland, in 1967.

Well slap my thighs and call me Nancy!

Made in 1967, it must've been one of the first 746's (the case-style shows it to be the 'old' type with the handset rest position not as pronounced as on later 746's) - a transitional one mentioned on Bob's page.

How do you get your manufacturer's details from AEG 67/1? I get the date bit, but do you have a list of manufacturing establishment codes or something?

Darren-UK · 11th Aug 2009, 6:24 pm

I do indeed

Incidentally, I've just edited slightly the thread title so we stay on-topic.

richwk1 · 12th Aug 2009, 1:03 pm

That is similar to my one at home except mine had the colour coded rectangle on the top and was in ivory, but it had numbers in the dial and alpha numeric around the outer , so maybe my memory's were correct. I was sure i had numbers and alpha numeric but you guys on here know a lot more about this stuff than me but thanks for posting picture i know i am on the right track now!!!

10th Aug 2009, 9:03 am	#1
richwk1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 80	746 dial surrounds. Hi there everyone, this is my first post so be gentle. I am new to these phones i have just bought a 746 in ivory and i am very pleased with my question is how do i change the outer dial surround mine is plain at the moment but i have an alpha numeric one. simple guide please i do repair computers but old phones are new to me. thanks in advance and a big hello to everyone Rich

10th Aug 2009, 9:46 am	#2
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: 746 dial surround removal Hi Rich, Remove the casing; there's a single screw on the rear, release that (it's captive so shouldn't come completely out) then lift the casing off the chassis. It's a good idea to remove the dial finger plate first, I would add. Next look underneath the case and you'll see the dial surround turns through 30deg, or thereabouts, then lifts off. Regarding the dial finger plate; usually the casing will lift off with the plate in situ - but then you find it's a pain to replace the casing. To remove the finger plate; remove central label-cover insert, remove label, remove the single screw which will now be visible in the centre, then lift off finger plate. When replacing, do not overtighten that screw.

10th Aug 2009, 9:53 am	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: 746 dial surround removal As Darren said, it's easy. Make sure the cutout for the finger stop is in the right place before re-fitting the case. You sometimes have to slightly flex the plastic "finger plate" (the "dial" with holes in it) to get the case back on. But removing it completely as D. suggests is another, sensible alternative. If you choose to do this, don't prise the label cover off with a screwdriver/knife etc. as you'll spoil it. Instead, pull it off with a suction cap, or using a bit of very sticky tape. Note that if you have the older 706 model, it's held on with a metal clip instead. Good luck, Nick.

10th Aug 2009, 11:04 am	#5
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: 746 dial surround removal Yes indeed, I wondered about this too. One problem is that a telephone with an alpha-numeric outer ring should not have a numeric dial plate. Such would look non-authentic but, of course, it's the OP's choice.

11th Aug 2009, 6:08 pm	#7
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: 746 dial surround removal As it happens I today came across the telephone illustrated below. Sorry for the absolutely atrocious quality; mobile 'phone, poor light - the usual excuses. Two-tone green, it's a 746L and marked "AEG 67/1". That tells us it had an alpha-numeric ring from new and was manufactured by GEC at Glenross, Scotland, in 1967. Attached Thumbnails

11th Aug 2009, 6:24 pm	#9
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: 746 dial surround removal I do indeed Incidentally, I've just edited slightly the thread title so we stay on-topic.

12th Aug 2009, 1:03 pm	#10
richwk1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 80	Re: 746 dial surrounds. That is similar to my one at home except mine had the colour coded rectangle on the top and was in ivory, but it had numbers in the dial and alpha numeric around the outer , so maybe my memory's were correct. I was sure i had numbers and alpha numeric but you guys on here know a lot more about this stuff than me but thanks for posting picture i know i am on the right track now!!!